The Detroit News has a great interview (full transcript) with the Wings’ braintrust in today’s edition. There’s a lot of interesting stuff in there, but I thought I’d point out this part:
News: Last year in the playoffs, when it was hard to sell tickets, was that a red flag for you?
Ilitch: It meant to us, wake up. Wake up. In other words, the price is too high and they’re sick and tired of playing Nashville and Columbus and all those teams. And the exhibition games, getting charged for the exhibition games.
There’s such a thing as being over-focused on winning and maybe being a little out of touch with the fans.
There is evidence of change coming, from the $9 tickets to their recent open practices to this very interview. The team seems to be opening up and that’s great news for us fans. (via Abel to Yzerman)
Update (05. Aug, 9:15 AM): Good news: Scotty Bowman has informed TSN that he has not heard from the Leafs recently, has not been given a new offer, and is not interested in taking a position in Toronto. I suppose it’s possible that this could be a Bowman smokescreen, but I’m going to take what he said at face value. (via Snapshots) - Matt
Back in June, Scotty Bowman turned down an offer from the Leafs when he was told he would not be given the kind of control needed to make big changes in the front office. Apparently, the Leafs have since reconsidered that stance, as a Globe and Mail source indicated that they are now offering him housecleaning powers. So, Bowman is apparently “leaning toward” taking a job in Toronto as a senior adviser.
This is obviously not good news for the Wings, who have used Bowman as their own senior adviser since his retirement from coaching in 2002. Bowman is a key member of the team’s braintrust and his departure would be a heavy blow. We can only hope that he sticks around, but the draw to work for the Leafs has to be powerful, especially now that it sounds like they’d actually let him make changes. (via Mirtle)
